B’luru: Social media users share experiences following viral video of argument with Uber driver
Bengaluru: A video clip of an argument between an Uber driver and a customer over the use of air conditioning (AC) has sparked widespread discussion on social media about the challenges faced by passengers with cab drivers in Bengaluru.
The video, posted by the customer on his personal 'X' account on Sunday, shows a heated exchange where the customer requests the driver to turn on the AC. The driver responds angrily, stating that the AC was not working. When the customer insists, the driver remains silent, leading the customer to suggest that he be dropped off if the driver did not wish to accommodate him.
In a second clip attached to the post, the customer is seen rebuking the driver for getting upset over a minor issue and expressing his dissatisfaction with traveling in an Indica. The driver responds by demanding that the customer speak to him in Kannada, instead of Hindi.
Providing context for the incident, the customer posted, "Since everyone is forming an opinion, let me share the context here - 16sec video is 1st followed by the other video. I denied to sit in his friend’s Indica as it didn’t have AC and was filthy. Then I sat in his car and he talked to me in Hindi only. But the moment I asked him to turn on the AC, he got charged up. Listen to him responding in Hindi 'AC nahi hai'. It’s not about language here; it’s about an arrogant and irresponsible person using Kannada language as a smokescreen to continue scamming gullible people who travel to BLR for work."
The customer also shared the registration number of the cab and tagged Uber support in another post.
The incident resonated with many social media users, who shared similar experiences. One user commented, "I also face the same problem but not in a cab but in a hospital. He asked me why I came to Karnataka if I don't know Kannada. It happened in Karnataka."
Another user recounted, "Couple of such drivers I met in NCR & Bangalore, was taught a nice lesson by me. Those drivers will never forget me. It was during my college days."
Suggestions on how to handle such situations were also shared. One user recommended filing a complaint with the app, mentioning the driver's rude behavior to lower his ratings, while advising against bringing such matters to public attention.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar case from March 2023, where an auto rickshaw driver in Bengaluru refused to speak in Hindi and criticized a passenger for not speaking Kannada, which also went viral on social media.
Uber is yet to publicly respond to the specific complaint, but the incident has highlighted ongoing issues between passengers and drivers in the city, particularly concerning language and service expectations.
Context: https://t.co/vMA4JDh7mR
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
